A Game of Masks Chapter 6
A/N: Short chapter
Title: A Game of Masks
Pairings: Super Junior Members + OCs
Rating: PG-13 for violence
Notes: Character death, Medieval/Fantasy AU, occasional crack
Summary: Magic, intrigue and secrets abound in and around the king's court. While everyone has something to hide, some have more than others. Who has the biggest secret and will it end up tearing the kingdom apart?
Yesung looked again at his apprentice. So much potential. He sighed. Just how in the world do I unleash it without blowing up the farm or even the county? Currently Ryeowook's task was to move the water located in one rain barrel to another one ten meters behind them. This task was the hardest one yet. The apprentice didn't just have to make the water move, he had to direct it and force it to go to a specific location. This feat was more difficult than it sounded because water is not a solid object but many tiny drops - each one needing to be controlled. As a result of this and the fact that they were standing between the barrels the two wizards had been repeatedly drenched. Master Yesung could have used Suju to draw the moisture from the area and place it back in the barrel. Instead, he sent the lad to the creek with buckets several times to refill the rain barrel. The reason the master did this was twofold. First, it was good for the boy to exercise his body as well as his magical talents. Second, it reinforced the idea that Power shouldn't be used for everything, it should be reserved for situations where other methods just won't work. Too many young apprentices made the mistake of trying to use magic for every little task which usually resulted in a lazy, undisciplined wizard or one that burned his power out by trying to do too much. On his eighty-first try Ryeowook managed to get half of the water in the intended vessel. Calling a halt to the practice, his master said, “You've done very well today. Over time your determination and persistence will definitely serve you well.” Ryeowook thanked him with a tired smile.
Master and apprentice walked back to the cottage for a well-deserved dinner. Viveka had big bowls of a hearty stew, several loaves of bread and mugs of a light ale all ready for them. Too tired to do more than eat, Ryeowook sat spooning the fragrant meal into his weary body while Yesung and Viveka carried on a conversation about matters that needed to be attended to around the farm. During a lull in the conversation Viveka commented, “Now, let's see...where are the big chunks of radish I put into this stew?”
At this, Ryeoowook began panicking. “Why did you put radishes in the stew? You *know* I'm deathly allergic to them!” he practically shrieked. He looked over at his master with fear in his eyes but Yesung was in his own world quietly singing a song about peanut butter and turtles. Starting to scratch himself from head to toe, Ryeowook turned back to Viveka only to find her laughing hysterically, practically falling off of her stool.
“Oh, Wookie,” she gasped, “I would never do something that would actually hurt you! It was just a joke.”
“Wookie? What in the world kind of nickname is that?” he replied, still upset but in a voice several pitches lower.
“Wookie cookie, Wookie cookie,” Viveka said in a sing-songy voice, still laughing over her prank. After that, the young wizard refused to speak to her or even look in her direction for the rest of the meal. Once everyone finished eating, Yesung and Ryeowook headed towards the front door to start the evening chores while Viveka began clearing the table. Without looking at his assistant, Yesung spoke directly into her mind saying, “I know you don't mean any harm with your jokes; however, you really need to learn when to draw the line and when you've gone too far. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir” she replied mentally. As Yesung continued out of the cottage Viveka could hear him singing something about a Wookie Monster.
Slowly, Brinny-chan walked through the palace gardens, admiring the beautiful spring blooms. Many of the flowers and trees were varieties she had never seen before. One of the things she counted as a benefit to her husband's position was the chances it afforded her to travel and experience new things. Humming softly to herself, she turned a corner and found herself face to face with two ladies. Bowing and greeting them, Brinny-chan recognized Lady Amelie but couldn't recall the name of the woman beside her.
“Good morning, you are Lady Brinny-chan, correct?” asked Amelie.
“Yes, Lady Amelie, you are correct.” Turning to the unknown lady she said, “I am sorry, I don't think we've been introduced. My name is Lady Brinny-chan, wife of Ambassador Han Geng.”
Acknowledging the introduction the other lady replied, with a slightly superior air, “I am Lady Ophelia of the noble House of Doraemon. You have an interesting accent, Lady Brinny-chan, it doesn't sound Formosian.”
Nonplussed, Brinny-chan replied, “My accent is a mixture of Sylese and Formosian. I was born on the Isle of Syla and moved to Formosa when my father, the high chancellor, wed me to the ambassador. I was already learning Cordish at that point, so between my two different tutors I've managed to end up with my own unique accent.”
“So like our Queen Jagroop you had to move to a foreign kingdom due to marriage.” Amelie commented. Ophelia rolled her eyes at the mention of the queen but said nothing. Brinny-chan noted the woman's reaction and filed it away for future reference.
“That is correct. It is difficult at times and filled with numerous mistakes and faux pas. However, the love and support of family and friends makes the process bearable.” Lady Ophelia looked slightly shocked and disapproving while Lady Amelie merely looked thoughtful at this comment.
Recovering her composure after a few seconds, Amelie said, “I am sure Queen Jagroop would like to meet you. Would you be available to visit her in the next few days?”
“I am at the Queen's disposal; I am more than happy to appear whenever it is most convenient for her.” Brinny-chan said.
“Consider it done then. After I've spoken to Queen Jagroop I'll send a servant to let you know of the scheduled time.”
While Brinny-chan was thanking Lady Amelie a young Formosian woman walked by looking very confused. Brinny-chan asked her in Formosian if she needed help. The woman bowed saying, “Yes, my lady. My name is Piao Min and I am a new scullery maid. I seem to have lost my way, I am supposed to be headed for the main kitchen.”
Brinny-chan relayed Piao Min's need for directions. Lady Ophelia sniffed and turned away as the problems of servants was beneath her notice. Lady Amelie pointed out the correct building and with some translations by the ambassador's wife got the new maid on her way. She thanked both ladies in two languages while bowing repeatedly. Saying their goodbyes the three ladies went on their ways, with two of them deep in thought.
Title: A Game of Masks
Pairings: Super Junior Members + OCs
Rating: PG-13 for violence
Notes: Character death, Medieval/Fantasy AU, occasional crack
Summary: Magic, intrigue and secrets abound in and around the king's court. While everyone has something to hide, some have more than others. Who has the biggest secret and will it end up tearing the kingdom apart?
Yesung looked again at his apprentice. So much potential. He sighed. Just how in the world do I unleash it without blowing up the farm or even the county? Currently Ryeowook's task was to move the water located in one rain barrel to another one ten meters behind them. This task was the hardest one yet. The apprentice didn't just have to make the water move, he had to direct it and force it to go to a specific location. This feat was more difficult than it sounded because water is not a solid object but many tiny drops - each one needing to be controlled. As a result of this and the fact that they were standing between the barrels the two wizards had been repeatedly drenched. Master Yesung could have used Suju to draw the moisture from the area and place it back in the barrel. Instead, he sent the lad to the creek with buckets several times to refill the rain barrel. The reason the master did this was twofold. First, it was good for the boy to exercise his body as well as his magical talents. Second, it reinforced the idea that Power shouldn't be used for everything, it should be reserved for situations where other methods just won't work. Too many young apprentices made the mistake of trying to use magic for every little task which usually resulted in a lazy, undisciplined wizard or one that burned his power out by trying to do too much. On his eighty-first try Ryeowook managed to get half of the water in the intended vessel. Calling a halt to the practice, his master said, “You've done very well today. Over time your determination and persistence will definitely serve you well.” Ryeowook thanked him with a tired smile.
Master and apprentice walked back to the cottage for a well-deserved dinner. Viveka had big bowls of a hearty stew, several loaves of bread and mugs of a light ale all ready for them. Too tired to do more than eat, Ryeowook sat spooning the fragrant meal into his weary body while Yesung and Viveka carried on a conversation about matters that needed to be attended to around the farm. During a lull in the conversation Viveka commented, “Now, let's see...where are the big chunks of radish I put into this stew?”
At this, Ryeoowook began panicking. “Why did you put radishes in the stew? You *know* I'm deathly allergic to them!” he practically shrieked. He looked over at his master with fear in his eyes but Yesung was in his own world quietly singing a song about peanut butter and turtles. Starting to scratch himself from head to toe, Ryeowook turned back to Viveka only to find her laughing hysterically, practically falling off of her stool.
“Oh, Wookie,” she gasped, “I would never do something that would actually hurt you! It was just a joke.”
“Wookie? What in the world kind of nickname is that?” he replied, still upset but in a voice several pitches lower.
“Wookie cookie, Wookie cookie,” Viveka said in a sing-songy voice, still laughing over her prank. After that, the young wizard refused to speak to her or even look in her direction for the rest of the meal. Once everyone finished eating, Yesung and Ryeowook headed towards the front door to start the evening chores while Viveka began clearing the table. Without looking at his assistant, Yesung spoke directly into her mind saying, “I know you don't mean any harm with your jokes; however, you really need to learn when to draw the line and when you've gone too far. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir” she replied mentally. As Yesung continued out of the cottage Viveka could hear him singing something about a Wookie Monster.
Slowly, Brinny-chan walked through the palace gardens, admiring the beautiful spring blooms. Many of the flowers and trees were varieties she had never seen before. One of the things she counted as a benefit to her husband's position was the chances it afforded her to travel and experience new things. Humming softly to herself, she turned a corner and found herself face to face with two ladies. Bowing and greeting them, Brinny-chan recognized Lady Amelie but couldn't recall the name of the woman beside her.
“Good morning, you are Lady Brinny-chan, correct?” asked Amelie.
“Yes, Lady Amelie, you are correct.” Turning to the unknown lady she said, “I am sorry, I don't think we've been introduced. My name is Lady Brinny-chan, wife of Ambassador Han Geng.”
Acknowledging the introduction the other lady replied, with a slightly superior air, “I am Lady Ophelia of the noble House of Doraemon. You have an interesting accent, Lady Brinny-chan, it doesn't sound Formosian.”
Nonplussed, Brinny-chan replied, “My accent is a mixture of Sylese and Formosian. I was born on the Isle of Syla and moved to Formosa when my father, the high chancellor, wed me to the ambassador. I was already learning Cordish at that point, so between my two different tutors I've managed to end up with my own unique accent.”
“So like our Queen Jagroop you had to move to a foreign kingdom due to marriage.” Amelie commented. Ophelia rolled her eyes at the mention of the queen but said nothing. Brinny-chan noted the woman's reaction and filed it away for future reference.
“That is correct. It is difficult at times and filled with numerous mistakes and faux pas. However, the love and support of family and friends makes the process bearable.” Lady Ophelia looked slightly shocked and disapproving while Lady Amelie merely looked thoughtful at this comment.
Recovering her composure after a few seconds, Amelie said, “I am sure Queen Jagroop would like to meet you. Would you be available to visit her in the next few days?”
“I am at the Queen's disposal; I am more than happy to appear whenever it is most convenient for her.” Brinny-chan said.
“Consider it done then. After I've spoken to Queen Jagroop I'll send a servant to let you know of the scheduled time.”
While Brinny-chan was thanking Lady Amelie a young Formosian woman walked by looking very confused. Brinny-chan asked her in Formosian if she needed help. The woman bowed saying, “Yes, my lady. My name is Piao Min and I am a new scullery maid. I seem to have lost my way, I am supposed to be headed for the main kitchen.”
Brinny-chan relayed Piao Min's need for directions. Lady Ophelia sniffed and turned away as the problems of servants was beneath her notice. Lady Amelie pointed out the correct building and with some translations by the ambassador's wife got the new maid on her way. She thanked both ladies in two languages while bowing repeatedly. Saying their goodbyes the three ladies went on their ways, with two of them deep in thought.